INFORMATION has been released about the generous benefactor who left £1.8 million to a hospice.

In January, South Bucks Hospice discovered it was the beneficiaries of the astonishing legacy left by a local person and no other information was able to be released at the time.

The charity, which is currently based in Amersham Road, is building a new hospice in Totteridge and the money helped push the project closer to completion.

Information has now been released about the lady, who is known only as Sylvia, and who left the amount in her will.

The following story has been released to the press: "Sylvia was a very private person who lived quietly with her parents and later alone in the family home in Buckinghamshire.

"Her father was born in Kingston of German parents and her mother settled in England having left Austria just before the Second World War Sylvia’s family felt this country had been good to them and they wanted to give back something in return.

"Sylvia loved the family home with its beautiful garden which she never tired of showing to her small group of friends.

"Sadly she suffered ill-health most of her life, including anorexia in her teenage years which had a long-term detrimental effect on her health. When she was well Sylvia worked as medical secretary and was always interested in medical developments.

"Sylvia’s father died unexpectedly at work of a heart attack and her mother died just a few years before Sylvia at a time when they were both critically ill. Sylvia struggled after her mother died and fought hard to preserve her dignity and independence, remaining at home with live-in carers.

"It was important to Sylvia that people should have a choice to die where they wanted to with the professional support they deserved. She also loved children and young people and would have understood that they need special treatment and the right environment when they are unwell. Sylvia would have been delighted to help South Bucks Hospice with the new hospice building."

The plans for the new hospice will have the capacity to care for up to 60 per cent more patients than the current sites and will bring together the day care service and Hazlemere Lymphoedema clinic, with staff able to collaborate and share expertise.

The current range of activities and therapies will also be expanded, including the vital Lymphoedema service, providing an even higher level of care to local people with serious illnesses. Alongside the expansion of existing services, the hospice will also be introducing a focus on care for 18 to 28-year-olds.

For more information visit www.sbh.org.uk